For the East Coasters

Everyone on the East Coast is always like, "Oh, you're from Seattle? It rains all the time there"

Then I explain to them that it doesn't necessarily rain all the time here, it's just always cloudy. And a bit misty. Oh and "the summers are beautiful". Now, I know we have a beautiful forecast ahead of us, but since I've been back it's been gray, gray, gray good ole Seattle.

Example, Sounders game last night:

That's what I am talking about. Is that not the grayest yuckiest sky ever? Except for the beauty that is my building, THE SMITH TOWER. In all it's glory. But anyway...the Sounders managed to not get shut-out last night, horray! I kinda wish I'd seen 'em beat DC United though...oh well. We still had a fun time at the game...oh, and found FREE parking! Score. That was totally worth driving around pioneer square all insane-like for ten minutes.

Being Tourist in DC...

Best part about having family and friends in town? Getting a do-over for all those fun "DC" things!

LED Display, anyone? 

Of course I made Keene pose too.

You guys know this one by now. It's still cute.

I had to document my sister's breakfast from Old Ebbitt Grill: little french toast ham sandwiches wrapped in bacon with syrup. Whaaa? They looked awesome.

Court in Julia's kitchen!

The Smith family goes on the Capitol Tour - matching headsets!

AMERICA

THE rotunda.

Pretty ceilings.

Freedom. There she is. I love her! Isn't she badass? And gorgeous? This is supposedly what they used to make the actual "Freedom" that tops the Capitol.

So each state gets two statues in the Capitol, and here is one of Washington's: THIS GUY. I already forgot who this is, of course, but isn't he Frontier-chic? I really want that hat.

We were STARVING after the tour, and what do you know the Visitor's Center has an awesome cafeteria?! That has....THE SENATE BEAN! Woo! DC Bucket List! Check! It was really good.

Court in the "nice" picture in front of the Capitol.

And the awesome picture.

In front of the Supreme Court!

Us in Dupont Circle. Yeah, we went there, had lunch at The Mad Hatter (pretty good - Dad liked that there were 7 different kinds of chili dogs), and went to the bead store. Oh and we might've passed by some embassies, but the bead store was the highlight :)

I loved having our families in town!

*A-Hem*

Hi BLOG! I've missed you! Still getting caught up around here on the West Coast. Crazy! I have so many pictures left to share of all the happenings from the past 3 weeks...let me start off with yet another one of the highlights...

I present to you, Drag Brunch: que party music *uns uns uns*

We took Keene's family to Perry's, located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of DC.

Mimosas to start, obvs.

First up: Latin Sensation Drag Queen. Woo!

FIERCENESS.

This is not John Leguizamo. Well, I'm pretty sure it's not. I got Keene attention from her for his graduation present. I'm sure he appreciates it.

BAH! Hags. Me n' Keene's sister, Marissa, having a good ole time.

I recommend going to Drag Brunch at Perry's for any formal occasion with the entire family. It is a blast. Don't forget to bring your dollar bills!!!

Police Week at Kelly's Irish Times - not a rumor

For 3 years now Keene has been telling me that during Police Week, the officers "pull the doors off their squad cars and chain them to the fence outside Kelly's Irish Times"...and I'm always all, "yeah right"...well, we walked by last weekend and What. Do. You. Know...there were doors, chained to the fence at Kelly's. I think this is part of the Police Week celebration (and drunkenness) and also a way to honor police who have died on duty. Pretty dramatic and cool way to honor their people, eh?!

Shannon Came through Town! Woo!

People: Shannon and I have been friends *almost* our entire lives. It's true! Since baby class. Thanks to our moms for joining that class because since then we have been lifelong friends. Shannon is AWESOME and we got to go see her play in NY last October. It was a fabulous night. I can't wait because I get to visit New York this week and have more supercool times hanging out with her. Anyway - she was in town last Saturday and for the afternoon I kidnapped her and showed her all around our neighborhood. Then we all went down to the Municipal Wharf and had ourselves some Mar'land Crab. It was Shannon's first taste of Old Bay Seasoning! Can you believe that?! Old Bay runs in people's veins out here. She did not give up at the sight of these things, and between the 3 of us I think we powered through 9 crabs. Hardcore. See you soon, Shannon!

Juris Doctor in the Hizzay!!!

My cohab GRADUATED from GEORGETOWN LAW SCHOOL yesterday!!! OMG - so proud and excited for him. A law degree is no joke, it's such an accomplishment. I watched him slave over those really boring-looking books for 3 years and he worked his butt off. And I'm so proud to share that he graduated *Cum Laude* because he's a freakin' stud smarty pants and I love him! Thank you, Honey - it was so fun to watch you get your diploma on Sunday :) I'd been waiting for this day for a long time. It was soooo worth it!

TA-DA! I'm telling you people, this regalia was P.I.M.P. - ! The hat, the faux-velvet, the satin stole (or "cape" as I like to call it) - it rocked.

The "book"...

More awesome regalia shots.

Keene's siblings! Kellum & Marissa :)

Woo!!!

Wooo!!!

Wooo!!

So they actually gave them their foreals diplomas - I hope it made it back to Seattle in perfect condition...

The gang that motivated and supported each other through all the law school madness (eternally grateful to them)....

Keene wore his law socks - too cool.

And...our standard "prom pose."

It was an awesomely humid and emotional day. I am soooooo proud. Now it's PARTY TIME!!! Oh wait...I mean, as soon as the bar is over... :)

Gonna miss our 12th Place

SAD!!!!! I've honestly never been very sad to move out of an apartment before. But this was different. 12th Place was part of our adventure out in DC, and it's been really good to us. I'll miss all the light in this apartment, how it felt like a "treehouse", waking up to recess noise from the school across the street, the kitchen, the DECK and phantom tree. We have a lot of memories here, like walking home with our first Christmas tree, cooking countless dinners, parties, watching House Hunters (too much), bbq-ing on the deck, New Years, election night, that time I got soaked in a flash rain storm on the way home, crazy neighbors, making brunch & coffee, ...all good memories that I feel lucky we get to take with us forever.

The last "front porch" pic.

There it is, in all it's mint green glory.

The much-improved-nowadays English Garden.

Bye for now, Phantom Tree! And good luck to you!

This was from a free "rhizome" we for free one day. I just threw it in this pot to see what would happen. And this beauty popped up. I swear, stuff really GROWS here. Not like in Seattle where you have to beg things to grow. I'm gonna miss that about DC!

More "see you laters"

I couldn't leave town without meeting up with my other fabulous DC gal pal: Kathryn. I will be eternally grateful to her for being so friendly to me at my first contract job out here. She gets all the credit for starting up our beautiful friendship. "Make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other gold." (Camp Fire Girls) Kathryn, I know we will be golden friends! :)

Me and K-dawg at Lola's Barrack's Bar & Grill (btw they have a kickass quesadilla).

Love this Girl!

I am seriously gonna miss this Beotch...

Ugh. Had to say goodbye to my girl Drew tonight. Ahhhh! I hate goodbyes! I mean, I know no one really likes goodbyes, but still. They're just SO SAD! Drew has been my rock and my main gal pal out here from the beginning. Ours has truly been a fairytale friendship of crafts, gabbing, eating, drinking and having a freakin' blast. Since the day we met: each as lonely cohabs at a law school bbq, I had no idea the fun times that were in store for us (if only I knew!). She is truly one of the most deliciously sarcastic, witty, sweet and genuine people I know. I'm so lucky to know you, Gurl! Here's to many more adventures and beer together! I now have an even better excuse than Ben's Chili Bowl to come back to DC ;)

Drew & I at Matchbox on Barracks Row. Good times! Lots of chatter!

We might have had a (a-hem) few Watermelon Wheats. They were gooood.

Drew got me these adorable DC and WA state cookie cutters! Aren't they totally perfect? Now I'm going to have to have a "bi-coastal"-themed party just to make cookies with them. *Loves it!*

Thanks Gurl for being an awesome friend. I can't wait to be Seattle neighbs some day in the future and to come visit you soon in DC :)